Gutter caddy

Abstract

A universal utility device to be suspended from a structure, such as a roofing gutter or ladder, includes a generally rigid frame having a central opening for removably receiving an insert. The insert may be a plastic bag or a rigid formed insert designed to allow the device to perform a multitude of tasks. For example, the rigid formed insert may include a tray, a reel, or a combination thereof. The frame may include a structure engagement section designed to position the top surface of the frame at least as high as the top of the gutter when the device is suspended from the gutter. In another embodiment, the frame includes at least one wheel for facilitating the movement of the device along the gutter. The frame may also include a handle as well as a ladder engagement portion to suspend the device from a ladder.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to tool and refuse carrying devices and more particularly, to such devices that are particularly useful for working on elevated structures, such as a roof and a ladder.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Homeowners and general contractors commonly clean out rain gutters. The usual method of cleaning a rain gutter is for the laborer to manually remove the debris and throw it on the ground. After the gutter has been cleaned, the laborer must rake up and bag the debris. This method is time consuming and labor intensive. Other disadvantages of this method are that the gutter debris often falls into swimming pools, flowerbeds, gardens, and onto cars. There is also the possibility of injury to persons in the work area, such as children playing.

[0003] Known apparatuses for cleaning gutters suffer from several disadvantages. First, many of the known gutter apparatuses are suspended below the top surface of the roofing gutter. This inevitably leads to debris falling to the ground as a result of the debris becoming trapped between the apparatus and the gutter.

[0004] Another disadvantage of the known gutter apparatuses is that they are difficult to fill. When suspended below the top surface of the roofing gutter, the openings of many of the known gutter apparatus are partially obscured by the roofing gutter. Thus, the size of the opening is effectively reduced, often to half the original size, increasing the likelihood that the laborer might spill some of the debris.

[0005] Yet another disadvantage associated with the known gutter apparatuses is that they are not able to perform a variety of tasks. The known gutter apparatus are designed for a specific task, such as cleaning debris from roofing gutters only. These gutter apparatuses are not particularly useful, however, for panting the side of a building, for removing Christmas lights, holding tools and supplies, or many other uses.

[0006] A further disadvantage with the known gutter apparatuses is that they often become caught or jammed. Roofing gutters are often suspended from rooftops with screws or nails that are driven through the outside of the roofing gutter and into the roof. Many of the known gutter apparatuses utilize hooks that come into contact with these screws or nails and consequently become caught or jammed when trying to slide the gutter apparatus along the gutter. This requires the laborer to lift the apparatus over the nail or screw, thus reducing the convenience of the gutter apparatus and increasing the possibility of an accident.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention features a universal utility device to be suspended from a structure such as a roofing gutter or ladder wherein the universal utility device includes a generally rigid frame having at least one engagement section disposed on an inner surface of the generally rigid frame. In one embodiment, the top surface of the generally rigid frame is positioned at least as high as the open top of the roofing gutter when the universal utility device is suspended from the roofing gutter. In another embodiment, the generally rigid frame is adapted to support a removable rigid formed insert and/or to be suspended from a ladder or other similar structure.

[0008] The roofing gutter engagement section is preferably designed to allow the universal utility device to slide freely on along the roofing gutter and includes a relatively short engagement portion. The roofing gutter engagement section may include a lip or a plurality of hooks. According to another embodiment, the generally rigid frame further includes at least one wheel disposed horizontally on the inner surface of the generally rigid frame for sliding against the gutter.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the removable rigid formed insert includes an edge that engages the top surface of the generally rigid frame and supports the removable rigid formed insert. The removable rigid formed insert may include a tray, a reel, or a supporting structure for suspending a container, or any combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1A is an end perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 1C is an elevated front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention attached to a roofing gutter;

[0015] FIG. 2B is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention attached to a roofing gutter;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention attached to a ladder;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention having a flexible insert according to one embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a side plain view of the present invention having a removable rigid formed insert;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a side plain view of the present invention having a removable rigid formed insert according to one embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a removable rigid formed insert according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0021] FIG. 8 is a removable rigid formed insert according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A universal utility device or gutter caddy 10, FIG. 1, is to be used with an insert 12 designed to allow the universal utility device 10 to perform a multitude of tasks (discussed further below). The universal utility device 10 comprises a generally rigid frame 18 having a top 20, a bottom 22, an inner 21 and an outer surface 23, and a central receiving region 25 having dimensions sized for receiving the insert 12.

[0023] The generally rigid frame 18 is preferably fabricated from plastic though it may be formed or fabricated from many materials such as, but not limited to, metal and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the generally rigid frame 18 is oval'ish in shape, though many different shapes (rectangles, squares, etc.) are envisioned depending upon the desired function(s) to be preformed and is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art.

[0024] In one embodiment, the generally rigid frame 18 includes at least one structure engagement section 24 disposed on the inner surface 21 of the generally rigid frame 18. The structure engagement section 24 is designed to removably suspend the universal utility device 10 from a roofing gutter 36, FIG. 2.

[0025] In many applications, the roofing gutter 36 is attached to a roof 32 using a screw, bolt, or nail 34 that penetrates the outside surface 30 of the roofing gutter 36, through the generally U-shaped cross section 14, and into the roof 32. Previous utility devices often become caught on this screw 34 thus preventing them from sliding along the roofing gutter 36. As a result, the users must often lift the utility devices over the screw 34 thereby defeating much of the convenience of the utility devices and creating a potential safety hazard to both the users and bystanders.

[0026] In one embodiment, the present invention includes a structure engagement section 24 having a relatively short structure engagement portion 31, FIG. 2B, that is designed to securely suspend the universal utility device 10 from the roofing gutter 36, while still allowing the universal utility device 10 to freely slide up and down the length of the roofing gutter 36 and pass over the screw 34. The exact dimensions of the relatively short structure engagement portion 31 will depend upon the roofing gutter 36, and is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art. The relatively short structure engagement portion 31 increases the safety and convenience of the universal utility device 10 by virtually eliminating the need to lift the universal utility device 10 off the roofing gutter 36 and reducing the likelihood of the universal utility device 10 from falling and injuring a bystander on the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the structure engagement section 24 includes a lip. The lip may be continuous along the length of the inner surface 21 of the generally rigid frame 18 or may be disposed along a portion thereof. Alternatively, the structure engagement section 24 includes a plurality of hooks.

[0027] In another embodiment, the structure engagement section 24 is adapted so that the top surface 20 of the generally rigid frame 18 is positioned at least as high as an open top 16 of a roofing gutter 36 when the universal utility device 10 is suspended from the roofing gutter 36. The present embodiment significantly reduces the likelihood of a user accidentally dropping an object, such as roofing gutter debris 43, FIG. 2B, when trying to place the debris 43 into the universal utility device 10 and having the debris 43 consequently falling to the ground creating a mess or injuring bystanders.

[0028] In another embodiment, the generally rigid frame 18, FIG. 2, includes at least one wheel 28 on the inner surface 21 of the generally rigid frame 18. The wheel 28 is preferably mounted horizontally on the inner surface 21 of the generally rigid frame 18. When the universal utility device 10 is mounted on the roofing gutter 36, the wheel 28 facilitates the movement of the universal utility device 10 along the length of the roofing gutter 36 allowing the user to easily re-position the universal utility device 10. The wheel 28 also keeps the top surface 20 of the universal utility device 10 approximately horizontal. In a preferred embodiment, the generally rigid frame 18 includes two wheels 28 positioned at opposite ends of the inner surface 21.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the generally rigid frame 18, FIG. 3, may include a handle 23. The handle 23 aids the user in transporting the universal utility device 10, such as carrying the universal utility device 10 up and down a ladder 37 or other structure. Optionally, the handle 23 may further include at least one hook 25 designed to allow the universal utility device 10 to be suspended. In a preferred embodiment, the handle 23 includes two hooks 25 at opposite ends of the handle 23 adapted to suspend the universal utility device 10 from, for example, the rung 39 of a ladder 37.

[0030] As previously mentioned, the insert 12 is designed to allow the user to customize the universal utility device 10 to perform a multitude of tasks by inserting various inserts 12. In a broad sense, the insert 12 may include virtually any design, and the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be an exhaustive list.

[0031] For example, the user may wish to use the universal utility device 10, FIG. 4, to hold debris 43 when, for example, he/she is cleaning a roofing gutter 36. In one embodiment, the generally rigid frame 18 includes a plurality of fasteners 26 such as, but not limited to, clips, hooks, or the like, for suspending a flexible insert 41, such as a plastic bag. This embodiment allows the user to clean the roofing gutter 36 without creating a mess or having to repeatedly go up and down the ladder.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the universal utility device 10, FIGS. 5-8, includes a removable rigid formed insert 47 that is supported by the generally rigid frame 18. The removable rigid formed insert 47 may also include a handle 56 to allow the user to easily and quickly remove/install the removable rigid formed insert 47 from the generally rigid frame 18. The exact design and dimensions of the removable rigid formed insert 36 will, of course, depend upon the task to be performed and are within the knowledge of one skilled in the art.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the removable rigid formed insert 47 is suspended by an edge 38 that engages the top surface 20 of the universal utility device 10. However, the removable rigid formed insert 47 may be suspended with clips or any other known method known to those skilled in the art.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, the removable rigid formed insert 47, FIG. 6, includes a tray 35 designed to hold tools and supplies 40. According to another embodiment, the removable rigid formed insert 47, FIG. 7, includes a supporting structure 42 for suspending a container 44, such as, but not limited to, a paint container. The supporting structure 42 reduces the container's 44 ability to sway and also acts as a splash guard when applying paint. The supporting structure 42 also preferably includes a retaining means 46, such as, but not limited to, a clip, hook, or any other device known to those skilled in the art, disposed on the supporting structure 42 for suspending the container 44. In a preferred embodiment, the supporting structure 42 includes an opening 50 to allow the user to access the container 44.

[0035] According to still another embodiment, the removable rigid formed insert 47, FIG. 8, may include a reel 52. The reel 52, which may or may not be removable from the rigid formed insert 47, is particularly useful, for example, when removing/installing lights 54 (such as Christmas lights) from along the side of a house (not shown). Multiple removable reels could be used to store lights for various portions of a home, for example. However, the reel 52 may also serve many other purposes such as, but not limited to, the installation/removal of roofing heating tape, rope, or the like.

[0036] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

Claims

1. A universal utility device to be suspended from a structure having a top surface, said universal utility device comprising:

a generally rigid frame having:

a top, a bottom, an inner and an outer surface;

a central receiving region having dimensions sized for removably receiving an insert; and

at least one structure engagement section disposed on said inner surface of said generally rigid frame for suspending said universal utility device from said structure, such that said top surface of said generally rigid frame is positioned at least as high as said top surface of said structure when said universal utility device is suspended from said structure.

2. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generally rigid frame further includes at least one wheel disposed horizontally on said inner surface of said generally rigid frame.

3. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generally rigid frame further comprises a handle disposed on said top surface.

4. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said generally rigid frame further includes a plurality of fasteners for suspending a container.

5. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes an engagement portion designed to allow said universal utility device to slide freely on along said roofing gutter.

6. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes at least one lip.

7. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes a plurality of hooks.

8. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generally rigid frame is adapted to support a removable rigid formed insert.

9. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes an edge which engages said top surface of said generally rigid frame and supports said removable rigid formed insert.

10. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said removable rigid formed insert further includes a handle.

11. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a tray.

12. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a reel.

13. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a supporting structure for suspending a container.

14. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said supporting structure includes a means for retaining said container.

15. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said supporting structure includes an opening for allowing access to said container.

16. he universal utility device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said removable insert includes a plastic bag and said generally rigid frame is adapted to support said plastic bag.

17. A universal utility device to be suspended from a structure gutter having a top surface, said universal utility device comprising:

a rigid formed insert; and

a generally rigid frame adapted to removably engage with said rigid formed insert, said generally rigid frame having a top, a bottom, an inner, and an outer surface, a central opening for removably receiving said rigid formed insert, and at least one structure engagement section disposed on said generally rigid frame.

18. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said generally rigid frame further includes at one least wheel disposed horizontally on said inner surface of said generally rigid frame.

19. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said generally rigid frame further comprises a handle disposed on said top surface of said generally rigid frame.

20. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said generally rigid frame further includes a plurality of fasteners for suspending a plastic bag.

21. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes an engagement portion designed to allow said universal utility device to slide freely on along said structure.

22. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes at least one lip.

23. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes at least one hook.

24. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes an edge which engages said top surface of said generally rigid frame and supports said removable rigid formed insert.

25. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said removable rigid formed insert further includes a handle.

26. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a tray.

27. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a reel.

28. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a supporting structure for suspending a container.

29. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 28 wherein said supporting structure includes a means for retaining said container.

30. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 28 wherein said supporting structure includes an opening for allowing access to said container.

31. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said at least one structure engagement section is disposed on said generally rigid frame such that said top surface of said generally rigid frame is positioned at least as high as said top surface of said structure when said universal utility device is suspended from said structure.

32. A universal utility device to be suspended from a ladder, said universal utility device comprising:

a rigid formed insert; and

a generally rigid frame adapted to removably engage with said rigid formed insert, said generally rigid frame having a top and an inner surface, a central opening for removably receiving said rigid formed insert, and at least one ladder engagement portion for suspending said universal utility device in a level position from said ladder.

33. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 32 further comprising at least one structure engagement section disposed on said inner surface of said generally rigid frame for suspending said universal utility device from an object having a groove.

34. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 33 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes an engagement portion for allowing said universal utility device to slide freely on along said groove of said object.

35. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 33 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes at least one lip.

36. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 33 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes at least one hook.

37. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 32 wherein said rigid formed insert includes an edge which engages said top surface of said generally rigid frame and supports said removable rigid formed insert.

38. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 32 wherein said rigid formed insert further includes a handle.

39. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 32 wherein said rigid formed insert includes a tray.

40. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 32 wherein said rigid formed insert includes a reel.

41. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 32 wherein said rigid formed insert includes a supporting structure for suspending a container.

42. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 41 wherein said supporting structure includes a means for retaining said container.

43. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 41 wherein said supporting structure includes an opening for allowing access to said container.

44. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 33 wherein said at least one structure engagement section is disposed on said generally rigid frame such that said top surface of said generally rigid frame is positioned at least as high as a top surface of said groove on said object when said universal utility device is suspended from said groove on said object.

45. A universal utility device to be suspended from a structure having a top surface, said universal utility device comprising:

a generally rigid frame having:

a top, a bottom, an inner and an outer surface;

a central receiving region having dimensions sized for receiving a container;

at least one structure engagement section disposed on said inner surface of said generally rigid frame for suspending said universal utility device from said structure; and

at least one wheel disposed horizontally on said inner surface of said generally rigid frame for facilitating the movement of said universal utility device along said structure.

46. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein said at least one structure engagement section is positioned on said inner surface of said generally rigid frame such that said top surface of said generally rigid frame is positioned at least as high as said top surface of said structure when said universal utility device is suspended from said structure.

47. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein said generally rigid frame further comprises a handle disposed on said top surface.

48. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein said generally rigid frame further includes a plurality of fasteners for suspending a plastic bag.

49. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes an engagement portion designed to allow said universal utility device to slide freely on along said roofing gutter.

50. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes at least one lip.

51. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes at least one hook.

52. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein said container includes a removable rigid formed insert.

53. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 52 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes an edge which engages said top surface of said generally rigid frame and supports said removable rigid formed insert.

54. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 52 wherein said removable rigid formed insert further includes a handle.

55. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 52 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a tray.

56. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 52 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a reel.

57. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 52 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a supporting structure for suspending an object.

58. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 57 wherein said supporting structure includes a means for retaining said object.